Apparatus equipped with fax function, control method thereof, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An apparatus equipped with a fax function performs first and second settings on a user interface, wherein the first setting sets one or more specific fax numbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the set one or more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the second setting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate to a fax number that does not exist in an address book, not to be produced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing control technique ofreceived facsimile (hereinafter, referred to as fax) data.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-071575 has disclosed the fax machinethat does not accumulate fax data received from a communication partnerother than specific communication partners registered in advance in thememory within the machine but produces a printout of the received faxdata, and at the same time, accumulates fax data received from thespecific communication partner in the memory so that the contents of thereceived fax data can be checked. With this configuration, it ispossible to suppress a wasteful use of printing sheets and memories, andfurther, it is also possible to produce a printout of the fax data fromthe specific communication partner in accordance with the necessity.

By the method of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-071575, wastefulprinting on a printing sheet is suppressed by saving fax data receivedfrom the specific communication partner (specific fax number) registeredin advance in the memory within the machine and by not producing aprintout. However, in the case of this method, a user is obliged toregister fax numbers one by one for which a printout is not necessary,and therefore, there is such a problem that registration requires moretime and effort as the number of sources of transmission of faxes, suchas junk faxes, for which a printout is not necessary increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus equipped with a fax function according to the presentinvention includes: a user interface that performs a first setting thatcan set received fax data relating to one or more specific fax numbersso that a printout of the received fax data is not produced, and asecond setting that can set received fax data relating to a fax numberthat does not exist in an address book so that a printout of thereceived fax data is not produced; and a control unit configured tocontrol production of a printout of received fax data in accordance withthe first and second settings, and the control unit: performs control sothat, in a case where the second setting is set, a printout of thereceived fax data is not produced on a condition that the fax number ofthe source of transmission of the received fax data corresponds to atleast one of a fax number that does not exist in the address book andthe specific fax number that is set by the first setting, and performscontrol so that a printout of the received fax data is produced on acondition that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data corresponds to neither the fax number that does notexist in the address book nor the specific fax number that is set by thefirst setting; and performs control so that, in a case where the secondsetting is not set, a printout of the received fax data is not producedon a condition that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data corresponds to the specific fax number that is set bythe first setting, and performs control so that a printout of thereceived fax data is produced on a condition that the fax number of thesource of transmission of the received fax data does not correspond tothe specific fax number.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fax datamanagement system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of anMFP;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of afile server;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a software configuration offunctions relating to printing and storing of received fax data in afile server in the MFP;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between FIGS. 5A to 5C;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are flowcharts showing a flow of setting processing toprint and transfer received fax data to a file server;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a Status display screen;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a Setting item selectionscreen;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a Received fax output settingscreen;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a File server setting screen;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a File name setting screen;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a Folder path setting screen;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a Test transmission screen;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a Junk fax setting screen;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a Junk address registrationscreen;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a Junk address registrationrelease screen;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of contents that are set as atransfer/printing setting;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of anaddress book;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing until received faxdata is transferred to a file server;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of printing control processing ina second transfer unit;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of file name creation processingin the second transfer unit;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of folder path creationprocessing in the second transfer unit;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a printing-unnecessary numberlist;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a Junk fax setting screenaccording to a modification example;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of contents that are set as atransfer/printing setting according to a modification example; and

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of printing control processing ina second transfer unit according to a modification example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment of the present invention is explained. FIG. 1is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fax data managementsystem according to the present embodiment. In the fax data managementsystem shown in FIG. 1, an MFP 101 equipped with a plurality offunctions, such as the fax function and the copy function, and a fileserver 102 are connected to each other via a LAN 100 so as to be capableof communication. In the present embodiment, both the MFP 101 and thefile server 102 constitute the fax data management system, but aconfiguration in which the MFP 101 also has the function of the fileserver 102 may be accepted.

The MFP 101 is connected to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks)110 and is capable of performing fax communication of image data with afax machine, not shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration ofthe MFP 101. A control unit 210 including a CPU 211 controls the entireoperation of the MFP 101. The CPU 211 reads control programs that arestored in a ROM 212 and performs various kinds of control, such as read,printing, and communication. A RAM 213 is used as a main memory of theCPU 211 and a temporary storage area, such as a work area. In the MFP101, it is assumed that the one CPU 211 performs each piece ofprocessing shown in a flowchart, to be described later, by using onememory (the RAM 213 or an HDD 214), but it may also be possible toperform each piece of processing by causing a plurality of CPUs or aplurality of RAMS or HDDs to cooperate with one another.

The HDD 214 stores image data and various programs. An operation unitI/F 215 is an interface that connects an operation unit 220 and thecontrol unit 210. The operation unit 220 includes a liquid crystaldisplay unit having a touch panel function, a button board, etc., andplays a role as a reception unit configured to receive an operation, aninput, and instructions from a user.

A printer I/F 216 is an interface that connects a printer 221 and thecontrol unit 210. Image data that is printed by the printer 221 istransferred from the control unit 210 via the printer I/F 216 and isprinted on a printing medium by the printer 221.

A scanner I/F 217 is an interface that connects a scanner 222 and thecontrol unit 210. The scanner 222 reads the image of a document that isset on a document table or the like, not shown, and generates image dataand inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I/F217. It is possible for the MFP 101 to transmit the image data generatedby the scanner 222 by file transmission or as attached data of a mail.

A modem I/F 218 is an interface that connects a modem 223 and thecontrol unit 210. The modem 223 performs fax communication of image datawith a fax machine, not shown. A network I/F 219 is an interface thatconnects the control unit 210 (MFP 101) to the LAN 100. It is possiblefor the MFP 101 to transmit image data and information to an externaldevice (the file server 102 or the like) on the LAN 100 and to receivevarious kinds of information by using the network I/F 219.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration ofthe file server 102. A control unit 310 including a CPU 311 controls theentire operation of the file server 102. The CPU 311 reads controlprograms that are stored in a ROM 312 and performs various kinds ofcontrol processing. A RAM 313 is used as a main memory of the CPU 311and a temporary storage area, such as a work area. An HDD 314 storesimage data and various programs.

A network I/F 315 is an interface that connects the control unit 310(the file server 102) to the LAN 100. The file server 102 performstransmission and reception of various kinds of information with anotherdevice on the LAN 100 by using the network I/F 315.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration ofthe functions relating to printing of received fax data and storing ofreceived fax data in the file server 102 among the functions of the MFP101. Printing and storing of received fax data in the file server 102are implemented by two function units, i.e., a native function unit 410and a fax transfer function unit 420, which is an additional functionunit. In the case of the present embodiment, while each unit included inthe native function unit 410 is provided to the MFP 101 as the standard,each unit included in the fax transfer function unit 420 is provided tothe MFP 101 by an application for each unit being additionallyinstalled. The fax transfer function unit 420 is implemented by anapplication based on Java (registered trademark) and addition of afunction to the MFP 101 can be easily implemented. Another application,not shown, may be further installed on the MFP 101.

A fax reception unit (first reception unit) 411 receives image data thatis transmitted via the PSTN 110 by fax. The fax reception unit 411delivers the image data (fax data) received by fax to a first transferunit 412 after converting the image data into data in the PDF format. Atthis time, the fax reception unit 411 creates a control file includinginformation on the source of transmission of the fax data (fax number ofthe source of transmission) and the date and time of reception of thefax data and delivers the control file to the first transfer unit 412along with the fax data.

The first transfer unit 412 transfers the fax data received from the faxreception unit 411 in accordance with a condition that is set inadvance. As the transfer destination of the fax data, it is possible toset a printing unit 413, the file server 102, a PC (not shown) on theLAN 100, etc., but here, it is assumed that a setting is performed sothat all the fax data received by the fax reception unit 411 is oncetransferred to the fax transfer function unit 420. The first transferunit 412 has an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client function and alsotransfers the fax data by FTP to a second reception unit 422 having anFTP server function. The control file created by the fax reception unit411 is also transferred by FTP to the second reception unit 422 alongwith the fax data.

The printing unit 413 forms an image on a sheet in accordance with thefax data or the like received from the first transfer unit 412 andoutputs the sheet.

An address book storage unit 414 stores address information in which thename of each source of transmission, which is specified by a user of theMFP 101, and the fax number, which is identification informationthereon, are associated with each other as address book data. Details ofthe address book data that is stored in the address book storage unit414 will be described later.

The second reception unit 422 receives fax data internally transferredfrom the first transfer unit 412 and delivers the fax data to a secondtransfer unit 421. The second transfer unit 421 transfers (transmits)the fax data to the file server 102 in accordance with a transfersetting, to be described later. For the transfer here, it is possible touse SMB (Server Message Block), WebDAV (Distributed Authoring andVersioning protocol for the WWW), etc., besides FTP. Further, the secondtransfer unit 421 is permitted to access the address book storage unit414 and acquires a registered name, to be described later.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are flowcharts showing a flow of setting processing toprint and transfer fax data received by the MFP 101 to the file server102. The series of processing is implemented by the CPU 211 executingthe control program stored in the HDD 214 after developing the controlprogram onto the RAM 213.

First, at step 501, a status display screen is displayed on theoperation unit 220. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a statusdisplay screen. In a status display area 601 on a Status display screen600, a message indicating the current operation status of the faxtransfer function unit 420 is displayed. The example in FIG. 6 showsthat the fax transfer function unit 420 is currently operating normally.In the case where, for example, the transfer of fax data to the fileserver 102 has failed, or in the case of the state where the faxtransfer function unit 420 does not operate normally, a messageindicating the fact is displayed in the status display area 601. It mayalso be possible to further provide an operation button for updating thedisplay contents in the status display area 601 within the Statusdisplay screen 600.

At step 502, whether or not a [To setting screen] button 602 on theStatus display screen 600 has been pressed down is determined. Here, theprocessing stands by until the [To setting screen] button 602 is presseddown and in the case where it is determined that the [To setting screen]button 602 has been pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 503.On the Status display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6, only the one button([To setting screen] button 602) is provided, but it may also bepossible to provide, for example, a button for making a directtransition into each setting screen (e.g., FIG. 7 to FIG. 10), to bedescribed later.

At step 503, a setting item selection screen is displayed on theoperation unit 220. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a settingitem selection screen. An [Initial setting] button 701 within a Settingitem selection screen 700 is a button for performing an output settingand transfer/printing setting processing of a received fax. An[Error-time report output] button 702 is a button for performing areport output setting at the time of error. A [Junk address setting]button 703 is a button for performing a management setting of a faxnumber relating to fax data for which a printout is not produced (e.g.,junk fax data) among received fax data. An [Address collectiveregistration] button 704 is a button for collectively performing anaddress registration setting for the address book. The processing in thecase where the [Error-time report output] button 702 is pressed down andthe processing in the case where the [Address collective registration]button 704 is pressed down slightly relate to the present invention, andtherefore, explanation thereof is omitted.

At step 504, whether or not the [Junk address setting] button 703 hasbeen pressed down is determined. In the case where the [Junk addresssetting] button 703 has not been pressed down, the processing proceedsto step 505 and in the case where the [Junk address setting] button 703has been pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 530. The contentsof various kinds of setting processing (setting operations) relating tothe junk address at step 530 will be explained in a later section.

At step 505, whether or not the [Initial setting] button 701 has beenpressed down is determined. In the case where the [Initial setting]button 701 has been pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 506and in the case where the [Initial setting] button 701 has not beenpressed down, the processing returns to step 504. In the presentembodiment, the processing is designed so as to standby until the [Junkaddress setting] button 703 or the [Initial setting] button 701 ispressed down. For example, it may also be possible to further provide abutton for returning to the Status display screen 600 on theabove-described Setting item selection screen 700, and further toprovide a step at which whether or not the button has been pressed down.

At step 506, a received fax output setting screen is displayed on theoperation unit 220. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a receivedfax output setting screen. On a Received fax output setting screen 800,printout control is specified for all the received faxes by using acheckbox 801 or 802. The checkbox 801 and the checkbox 802 are in anexclusive relationship. In the case where the checkbox 801 is checked, asetting is set so that received fax data is output on paper. However, inthe case where the checkbox 801 is checked and on a condition that thefax number of the received fax data is registered in aprinting-unnecessary number list, to be described later, the data is notoutput on paper. In the case where the checkbox 802 is checked, asetting is set so that the received fax data is not output on paper. Inthe example in FIG. 8, the checkbox 802 is checked, and therefore, thesetting is set so that the received fax data is not output on paper.

At step 507, whether or not a [Cancel] button 803 within the Receivedfax output setting screen 800 has been pressed down is determined. Inthe case where the [Cancel] button 803 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 501 and the Status display screen 600 isdisplayed. In the case where the [Cancel] button 803 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 508.

At step 508, whether or not a [Return] button 804 within the Receivedfax output setting screen 800 has been pressed down is determined. Inthe case where the [Return] button 804 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 503 and the Setting item selection screen 700is displayed. In the case where the [Return] button 804 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 509.

At step 509, whether or not a [Next] button 805 within the Received faxoutput setting screen 800 has been pressed down is determined. In thecase where the [Next] button 805 has been pressed down, the processingproceeds to step 510. In the case where the [Next] button 805 has notbeen pressed down, the processing returns to step 507.

At step 510, a file server setting screen is displayed on the operationunit 220. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a file serversetting screen. A user of the MFP 101 inputs information for specifyingthe file server 102 and information for accessing the file server 102via a File server setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, in aHost name input box 901, the host name of the file server 102 is input.In a Folder path input box 902, the starting point of a folder path forspecifying the storage destination of received fax data is input. In aUser name input box 903 and in a Password input box 904, authenticationinformation (user name and password) necessary to log in to the fileserver 102 is input.

At step 511, whether or not a [Cancel] button 911 within the File serversetting screen 900 has been pressed down is determined. In the casewhere the [Cancel] button 911 has been pressed down, the processingreturns to step 501 and the Status display screen 600 is displayed. Inthe case where the [Cancel] button 911 has not been pressed down, theprocessing proceeds to step 512 and whether or not a [Next] button 912has been pressed down is determined. Then, in the case where the [Next]button 912 has been pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 513.In the case where the [Next] button 912 has not been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 511.

At step 513, the contents of the file server settings that are input tothe input boxes 901 to 904 within the File server setting screen 900 aresaved in the HDD 214.

At step 514, a file name setting screen is displayed on the operationunit 220. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a file name settingscreen. A user of the MFP 101 specifies a setting rule of a file namethat is set to fax data to be transferred to the file server 102 via aFile name setting screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10. It is possible to set afile name, which is a combination of three kinds of information, i.e.,[registered name], [fax number], and [date and time], to the fax data tobe transferred to the file server 102 by the fax transfer function unit420. [registered name] is the name registered in advance in the addressbook in association with the fax number of the source of transmission ofthe fax data. [fax number] is the fax number of the source oftransmission of the fax data. [date and time] is the date and time ofreception of the fax data. It is possible for a user of the MFP 101 toselect a separator (delimiter) for separating the above-described threekinds of information by using operation buttons 1001 to 1003. In thecase where the operation button 1001 is pressed down, [-] (hyphen) isselected. In the case where the operation button 1002 is pressed down,[_] (under bar) is selected. In the case where the operation button 1003is pressed down, [ ] (space) is selected. It is known that [_] (underbar) is selected in the example shown schematically. Further, it is alsopossible for a user of the MFP 101 to specify the order of theabove-described three kinds of information by using checkboxes 1013 to1015. Here, in the case of the checkbox 1013, a file name, which is acombination of the above-described three kinds of information in theorder of [registered name], [fax number], and [date and time], is set asa result. For example, in the case where the registered name is “ABCCorporation”, the fax number is “03-1111-2222”, and the date and time is“2013/01/01 12:15:10 (in the case where the format is “YYYY/MM/DDHH:MM:SS)”, a file name of “ABCCorporation_0311112222_20130101121510.PDF” is set. Similarly, in thecase of the checkbox 1014, a file name, which is a combination of thethree kinds of information in the order of [date and time], [registeredname], and [fax number], is set. Further, in the case of the checkbox1015, a file name, which is a combination of the three kinds ofinformation in the order of [fax number], [registered name], and [dateand time], is set. Here, all the permutations are not taken to becandidates (only part of the permutations are taken to be candidates),but it may also be possible to display all the permutations ascandidates.

At step 515, whether or not a [Cancel] button 1021 within the File namesetting screen 1000 has been pressed down is determined. In the casewhere the [Cancel] button 1021 has been pressed down, the processingreturns to step 501 and the Status display screen 600 is displayed. Inthe case where the [Cancel] button 1021 has not been pressed down, theprocessing proceeds to step 516 and whether or not a [Return] button1022 has been pressed down is determined. Then, in the case where the[Return] button 1022 has been pressed down, the processing returns tostep 510 and the File server setting screen 900 is displayed. In thecase where the [Return] button 1022 has not been pressed down, theprocessing proceeds to step 517 and whether or not a [Next] button 1023has been pressed down is determined. Then, in the case where the [Next]button 1023 has been pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 518.In the case where the [Next] button 1023 has not been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 515.

At step 518, the contents specified via the Filename setting screen 1000are saved in the HDD 214.

At step 519 that follows, a Folder path setting screen 1100 is displayedon the operation unit 220. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example ofthe folder path setting screen. A user of the MFP 101 specifies asetting rule of a folder path for specifying a folder, which is thestorage destination of fax data, via the Folder path setting screen 1100shown in FIG. 11. Here, in the case where a checkbox 1101 is checked,fax data is stored in the folder specified by selection boxes 1111 to1113 and in the case where the checkbox 1101 is not checked, fax data isstored in the area indicated by Folder path 902 on the File serversetting screen 900. In the selection box 1111, the type of informationthat is used as a folder name of First hierarchy (the highest hierarchyof the three hierarchies) is specified. A user of the MFP 101 selectsthe type of information from among the candidates of [registered name],[fax number], and [date] presented in a pull-down menu. In the selectionbox 1112, the type of information that is used as a folder name ofSecond hierarchy (the middle hierarchy of the three hierarchies) isspecified. A user of the MFP 101 selects the type of information fromamong the candidates of [registered name], [fax number], and [date]presented in a pull-down menu as in the case of First hierarchy. In theselection box 1113, the type of information that is used as a foldername of Third hierarchy (the lowest hierarchy of the three hierarchies)is specified. As in the case of First hierarchy, a user of the MFP 101selects the type of information from among the candidates of [registeredname], [fax number], and [date] presented in a pull-down menu. It isalso possible to leave the selection boxes 1111 to 1113 in the statewhere no type is selected, and in this case, the fax data is stored, forexample, within the folder specified in the selection box 1112. In adisplay box 1114, the order of various kinds of information inaccordance with the selection for each hierarchy in the selection boxes1111 to 1113 is displayed. In the example in FIG. 11, it is known thatthe folder name of First hierarchy is [registered name], the folder nameof Second hierarchy is [fax number], and the folder name of Thirdhierarchy is [date]. By attaching the folder path shown in the displaybox 1114 to the end of the character string specified in Folder path 902on the File server setting screen 900, a final folder path is completed.For example, in the case where the registered name is “ABC Corporation”,the fax number is “03-1111-2222”, and the date is “2013/01/01”, a folderpath of “root/ABC Corporation/0311112222/20130101” is set as a result.

At step 520, whether or not a [Cancel] button 1121 within the Folderpath setting screen 1100 has been pressed down is determined. In thecase where the [Cancel] button 1121 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 501 and the Status display screen 600 isdisplayed. In the case where the [Cancel] button 1121 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 521 and whether or not a[Return] button 1122 has been pressed down is determined. Then, in thecase where the [Return] button 1122 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 514 and the File name setting screen 1000 isdisplayed. In the case where the [Return] button 1122 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 522 and whether or not a[Next] button 1123 has been pressed down is determined. Then, in thecase where the [Next] button 1123 has been pressed down, the processingproceeds to step 523. In the case where the [Next] button 1123 has notbeen pressed down, the processing returns to step 520.

At step 523, the contents specified via the Folder path setting screen1100 are saved in the HDD 214.

At step 524 that follows, a test transmission screen is displayed on theoperation unit 220. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a testtransmission screen. It is possible for a user of the MFP 101 to performtest transmission to the file server 102 via a Test transmission screen1200 shown in FIG. 12. In a Fax number input box 1201 within the Testtransmission screen 1200, the fax number of an arbitrary source oftransmission that is used for test transmission is input. Further, in aDate and time of reception input box 1202, an arbitrary date and time ofreception that is used for test transmission is input. Although omittedin the present flowchart, by pressing down a [Setting check] button1211, based on the settings performed in the Fax number input box 1201,in the Date and time of reception input box 1202, and on each screen inFIGS. 9 to 11 described previously, in which folder and with which namethe fax data is stored is displayed. Due to this, it is possible for auser to check the contents of the settings.

At step 525, whether or not a [Test transmission] button 1212 within theTest transmission screen 1200 has been pressed down is determined. Inthe case where the [Test transmission] button 1212 has been presseddown, the processing proceeds to step 526 and in the case where the[Test transmission] button 1212 has not been pressed down, theprocessing proceeds to step 527.

At step 526, test transmission is performed based on the contents thatare input in the Fax number input box 1201 and in the Date and time ofreception input box 1202, and the contents of the settings performed onthe screens in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11. In the test transmission, test imagedata that is held in advance within the fax transfer function unit 420(within the HDD 214) is transmitted to the file server 102 actually. Dueto the execution of the test transmission, it is possible for a user tocheck that fax data is stored normally in the folder of the file server102. It may also be possible to display a screen to show the results oftest transmission after performing the test transmission.

At step 527, whether or not a [Cancel] button 1221 within the Testtransmission screen 1200 has been pressed down is determined. In thecase where the [Cancel] button 1221 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 501 and the Status display screen 600 isdisplayed. In the case where the [Cancel] button 1221 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 528 and whether or not a[Return] button 1222 has been pressed down is determined. Then, in thecase where the [Return] button 1222 has been pressed down, theprocessing returns to step 519 and the Folder path setting screen 1100is displayed. In the case where the [Return] button 1222 has not beenpressed down, the processing proceeds to step 529 and whether or not an[OK] button 1223 has been pressed down is determined. Then, in the casewhere the [OK] button 1223 has not been pressed down, the processingreturns to step 525. In the case where the [OK] button 1223 has beenpressed down, the present processing is terminated.

The above is the contents of the setting processing to print andtransfer received fax data to the file server 102.

<Junk Address Setting>

Subsequently, various kinds of setting processing (setting operations)relating to the junk address at step 530 described above are explained.

First, at step 530, a junk fax setting screen is displayed on theoperation unit 220. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a junkfax setting screen. A checkbox 1301 is a checkbox for setting whether toproduce a printout of received fax data the source of transmission ofwhich is a fax number not registered in the address book. In the statewhere the checkbox 1301 is checked, the printout of the received faxfrom the fax number not registered in the address book is not produced.In a display box 1302, data of a list (hereinafter,“printing-unnecessary number list”, see FIG. 22) in which fax numbersrelating to faxes for which printing is not necessary, such as a junkfax, among the received fax data is displayed. In the example in FIG.13, two fax numbers (“03-1234-5678” and “03-1234-9876”) registered inthe printing-unnecessary number list shown in FIG. 22 are displayed in alist. In other words, in the present embodiment, in the case where thecheckbox 1301 is checked, the printout of the received fax data from thefax number not registered in the address book is not produced, andfurther, the printout of the received fax data from the fax numberregistered in the printing-unnecessary number list is also not produced.In a display box 1303, the total number of fax numbers for whichprinting is not performed and which are registered in theprinting-unnecessary number list in FIG. 22, and information on theposition of the currently selected fax number from the top (i.e.,information on how many fax numbers exist above the currently selectedfax number) in the printing-unnecessary number list are shown. In theexample in FIG. 13, “½” is displayed, indicating that the total numberof fax numbers already registered in the list as the fax numbers forwhich printing is not necessary is two, and the currently selected faxnumber is the first fax number from the top. A [Δ] button 1304 and a [∇]button 1305 are buttons for changing the position of the fax number tobe displayed in the list. These buttons are buttons that are displayedin the state where fax numbers in the number that cannot be displayedsimultaneously are registered within the printing-unnecessary numberlist. In the example in FIG. 13, it is possible to display six faxnumbers simultaneously, and therefore, in the case where seven or morefax numbers are registered in the printing-unnecessary number list, the[Δ] button 1304 and the [∇] button 1305 become effective. The [Δ] button1304 is a button for changing the position of the fax number to bedisplayed in the upward direction in the list. The [∇] button 1305 is abutton for changing the position of the fax number to be displayed inthe downward direction in the list.

A [Registration] button 1306 is a button for displaying an operationscreen (junk address registration screen) for additionally registering afax number in the printing-unnecessary number list on the operation unit220. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a junk addressregistration screen. An input box 1401 on a Junk address registrationscreen 1400 is a field into which a fax number to be registered in theprinting-unnecessary number list is input. In the example in FIG. 14, astate where “123456789” is input is shown. A [Cancel] button 1402 is abutton for cancelling processing to register a fax number as a junkaddress. In the case where the [Cancel] button 1402 is pressed down, thescreen returns to a Junk fax setting screen 1300. An [OK] button 1403 isa button for performing processing to register a fax number in theprinting-unnecessary number list. In the case where the [OK] button 1403is pressed down, the fax number that is input into the input field 1401is registered in the above-described printing-unnecessary number list.

A [Release] button 1307 is a button for releasing the registration of afax number registered in the printing-unnecessary number list. In thecase where a user selects a fax number the registration of which is tobe released from the display box 1302 within the Junk fax setting screen1300 and presses down the [Release] button 1307, an operation screen(junk address registration release screen) for checking the release ofthe registration of a junk address is displayed on the operation unit220. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a junk addressregistration release screen. A [Cancel] button 1501 on a Junk addressregistration release screen 1500 is a button for cancelling the releaseprocessing. In the case where the [Cancel] button 1501 is pressed down,the screen returns to the Junk fax setting screen 1300. An [OK] button1502 is a button for performing the release. In the case where the [OK]button is pressed down, the fax number selected on the Junk fax settingscreen 1300 is deleted from the printing-unnecessary number list. Afterthe deletion is completed, the Junk fax setting screen 1300 isdisplayed.

A [Return] button 1308 is a button for returning the screen to theSetting item selection screen 700. In the case where the [Return] button1308 is pressed down, the processing proceeds to step 503 and theSetting item selection screen 700 is displayed again.

The above is the contents of the various kinds of setting processingrelating to a junk address.

Next, the “transfer/printing setting” that is set in accordance with thesetting processing (flowcharts in FIGS. 5A to 5C) to print and transferreceived fax data described above is explained. FIG. 16 is a diagramshowing an example of the contents that are set as the“transfer/printing setting”. On a line 1601, the host name of the fileserver 102 that is input in the Host name input box 901 on the Fileserver setting screen 900 is described. On a line 1602, the startingpoint of the folder path that is input in the Folder path input box 902on the File server setting screen 900 is described. On a line 1603, theuser name to log in to the file server 102 that is input in the Username input box 903 on the File server setting screen 900 is described.On a line 1604, the password to log in to the file server 102 that isinput in the Password input box 904 on the File server setting screen900 is described. On a line 1605, the setting rule of the file name thatis set on the File name setting screen 1000 is described. In the examplein FIG. 16, the file name is set by using the separator of [_] (underbar) in the order of [registered name], [fax number], and [date andtime]. On a line 1606, the setting rule of the folder path that is seton the Folder path setting screen 1100 is described. On a line 1607, thesetting to output on paper that is set on the Received fax outputsetting screen 800 is described. In the example in FIG. 16, a Printsetting is “OFF”, i.e., the setting is that received fax data is notoutput on paper. In the case of the setting that received fax data isoutput on paper, the Print setting is “ON”. On a line 1608, whether ornot the checkbox 1301 on the Junk fax setting screen 1300 is checked,i.e., the setting whether or not to output on paper the received faxfrom the fax number not registered in the address book is described. Inthe example in FIG. 16, An AddressbookPrint setting is “OFF”, i.e., thesetting is that received fax from the fax number not registered in theaddress book is output on paper (the checkbox is not checked). In thecase of the setting that received fax from the fax number not registeredin the address book is not output on paper (the checkbox is checked),the AddressbookPrint setting is “ON”. These pieces of information arestored in the HDD 214 as the “transfer/printing setting” in the format,such as CSV and XML.

Next, the address book that is stored in the address book storage unit414 of the native function unit 410 is explained. FIG. 17 is a diagramshowing an example of the registered contents of the address book.Address ID 1701 is the ID capable of uniquely identifying each addressthat is registered in the address book. Name 1702 is the name of eachaddress that is registered in the address book. Fax number 1703 is thefax number of each address that is registered in the address book. Inthe case where the image data that is read by the scanner 222 istransmitted by fax from the MFP 101 via the PSTN 110, it is possible toeliminate effort and time spent specifying the address by referring tothe address book data as shown in FIG. 17. It may also be possible toresister the address of an electronic mail, the address of filetransmission (FTP, SMB, WebDAV), etc., besides the address of faxtransmission.

Subsequently, a flow of processing until the MFP 101 transfers receivedfax data to the file server 102 is explained in detail. FIG. 18 is aflowchart showing a flow of processing until the MFP 101 transfersreceived fax data to the file server 102. The series of processing isimplemented by the CPU 211 executing the control program stored in theHDD 214 of the MFP 101 after developing the program onto the RAM 213.

At step 1801, image data is received by fax by the fax reception unit411. The image data (fax data) received by fax is sent to the firsttransfer unit 412.

At step 1802, the received fax data is internally transferred by FTP tothe second reception unit 422 of the fax transfer function unit 420 bythe first transfer unit 412. The internally transferred fax data isfurther delivered to the second transfer unit 421.

At step 1803, in the second transfer unit 421 of the fax transferfunction unit 420, the fax number of the source of transmission and thedate and time of reception are acquired from the control file that istransferred along with the fax data.

At step 1804, in the second transfer unit 421, the contents of the fileserver setting included in the above-described “transfer/printingsetting” are acquired.

At step 1805, in the printing unit 413, the contents of the paper outputsetting included in the “transfer/printing setting” are acquired.

At step 1806, whether the contents of the paper output setting acquiredat step 1805 are ON or OFF is determined. In the case where the settingis OFF, the processing proceeds to step 1808. In the case where thesetting is ON, the processing proceeds to step 1807.

At step 1807, printing processing is performed under the control of thesecond transfer unit 421. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of theprinting processing (S1807) in the second transfer unit 421.

At step 1901, the search in the above-described printing-unnecessarynumber list is performed with the fax number of the received fax data.

At step 1902, whether or not the fax number of the received fax dataexists in the printing-unnecessary number list as the results of theabove-described search is determined. In the case where the fax numberexists, the present processing is terminated without performing printingfor the fax data (the processing proceeds to step 1808). In the casewhere the fax number does not exist, the processing proceeds to step1903.

At step 1903, information on the “transfer/printing setting” isacquired. As described above, the “transfer/printing setting” includesthe “AddressbookPrint setting” and information about whether or notoutputting on paper of the received fax from the fax number notregistered in the address book is necessary is included (ON: printing isnot performed, OFF: printing is performed).

At step 1904, whether the contents of the AddressbookPrint setting inthe acquired “transfer/printing setting” are ON or OFF (whether thesetting is that the printout of the received fax from the fax number notregistered in the address book is not produced) is determined. In thecase where the AddressbookPrint setting is ON (the checkbox 1301 on theJunk fax setting screen 1300 is checked), the processing proceeds tostep 1905. In the case where the AddressbookPrint setting is OFF (thecheckbox 1301 on the Junk fax setting screen 1300 is not checked), theprocessing proceeds to step 1907.

At step 1905, an inquiry is made to the address book storage unit 414about whether or not the fax number of the received fax data isregistered in the address book data. Upon receipt of the inquiry, theaddress book storage unit 414 searches the address book data to checkwhether the fax number of the received fax data is registered, and then,returns the search results to the second transfer unit 421.

At step 1906, upon receipt of the response from the address book storageunit 414, whether the fax number of the received fax data is registeredin the address book is determined. In the case where the fax number ofthe received fax data is not registered in the address book, the presentprocessing is terminated without performing printing for the fax data.In the case where the fax number of the received fax data is registeredin the address book, the processing proceeds to step 1907.

At step 1907, the printing unit 413 is given instructions to print thereceived fax data. Upon receipt of the instructions, the printing unit413 performs printing of the received fax data. The above is thecontents of the printing control processing by the second transfer unit421. Explanation is returned to the flow in FIG. 18.

At step 1808, in the second transfer unit 421, a file name that is setfor the received fax data is created. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showingdetails of file name creation processing (S1808) in the second transferunit 421.

At step 2001, the file name setting included in the above-described“transfer/printing setting” is acquired.

At step 2002, an inquiry is made to the address book storage unit 414about the name that is registered in association with the fax number ofthe source of transmission.

At step 2003, whether or not the acquisition of the registered name fromthe address book storage unit 414 has succeeded is determined, and inthe case where the acquisition of the registered name has succeeded, theprocessing proceeds to step 2004, and in the case where the acquisitionof the registered name has failed (e.g., in the case where the faxnumber of the source of transmission is not registered in the addressbook), the processing proceeds to step 2005.

At step 2004, the acquired registered name is set as part of the filename.

At step 2005, a default name is set as part of the filename. The defaultname is, for example, a character string of “no name”.

At step 2006, the fax number acquired at step 1803 is set as part of thefile name.

At step 2007, the date and time of reception acquired at step 1803 isset as part of the file name. The above is the contents of the file namecreation processing. Each setting at steps 2004 to 2007 is performed inaccordance with the contents of the file name setting acquired at step2001. Explanation is returned to the flow in FIG. 18.

At step 1809, in the second transfer unit 421, a folder path forspecifying the storage destination of the received fax data is created.FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of folder path creationprocessing (S1809) in the second transfer unit 421.

At step 2101, the folder path setting included in the above-described“transfer/printing setting” is acquired.

At step 2102, an inquiry is made to the address book storage unit 414about the name that is registered in association with the fax number ofthe source of transmission. In the case where the registered name hasalready been acquired at step 2002 in the flow in FIG. 20 describedpreviously, this step may be omitted.

At step 2103, whether or not the acquisition of the registered name fromthe address book storage unit 414 has succeeded is determined and in thecase where the acquisition of the registered name has succeeded, theprocessing proceeds to step 2104, and in the case where the acquisitionof the registered name has failed (e.g., in the case where the faxnumber of the source of transmission is not registered in the addressbook), the processing proceeds to step 2105.

At step 2104, the acquired registered name is set as part of the folderpath.

At step 2105, a default name is set as part of the folder path. Thedefault name is, for example, a character string of “no name”.

At step 2106, the fax number acquired at step 1803 is set as part of thefolder path.

At step 2107, the date and time of reception acquired at step 1803 isset as part of the folder path. The above is the contents of the folderpath creation processing.

Each setting at steps 2104 to 2107 is performed in accordance with thecontents of the folder path setting acquired at step 2101. Explanationis returned to the flow in FIG. 18.

At step 1801, the second transfer unit 421 accesses the file server 102.Then, the second transfer unit 421 transmits the user name and thepassword included in the file server setting acquired at step 1804 tothe file server 102 and receives the results of authentication by thefile server 102.

At step 1811, in the second transfer unit 421, whether or not thereceived authentication results indicate that the authentication hassucceeded (the login to the file server 102 has succeeded) isdetermined. In the case where the authentication has succeeded, theprocessing proceeds to step 1812, and in the case where theauthentication has failed, the present processing is terminated.

At step 1812, the second transfer unit 421 makes an inquiry to the fileserver 102 about whether or not the folder indicated by the folder pathcreated at step 1809 exists.

At step 1813, the processing is classified in accordance with theresults of the inquiry. In the case where the folder that is identifiedby the above-described folder path does not exist, the processingproceeds to step 1814 and in the case where the folder exists, theprocessing proceeds to step 1815.

At step 1814, the second transfer unit 421 requests the file server 102to create the folder indicated by the folder path created at step 1806.

At step 1815, the second transfer unit 421 externally transfers the faxdata to the file server 102. Then, in the file server 102, the fax datais stored in the folder indicated by the folder path created at step1809.

The above is the contents of the processing until the MFP 101 transfersthe received fax data to the file server 102.

As explained above, in the present embodiment, it is possible tocollectively perform a setting easily so that printing of the receivedfax from the fax number not registered in the address book data is notperformed. Further, by individually registering fax numbers of receivedfaxes for which printing is not necessary in the printing-unnecessarynumber list, it is possible to perform control so that the received faxdata the source of transmission of which is a specific fax number is notprinted. Then, by providing a user interface (see FIG. 13) that enablesa user to perform the above-described two kinds of setting of printingcontrol on the same operation screen, the convenience of the user isfurther improved. For example, in the case where the collective settingis set to ON, even for a fax number that is registered in the addressbook, it is possible to prevent the received fax data from the specificfax number from being printed by registering the specific number forwhich printing is not necessary in the printing-unnecessary number list.Further, even in the case where a user uses the MFP with the collectivesetting being set to OFF, it is possible to prevent the received faxdata from the specific number from being printed by registering thespecific number from which a junk fax is transmitted in theprinting-unnecessary number list. As described above, by providing auser interface having the above-described two kinds of setting ofprinting control, it is possible to perform a flexible setting inaccordance with the use environment of the user.

Modification Example

Next, an aspect is explained as a modification example, in which whetherprinting is performed in the case where the fax number of the source oftransmission is anonymous is set on the junk fax setting screen, inplace of whether the received fax from the fax number not registered inthe address book is printed is set.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a junk fax setting screenaccording to the present modification example. A checkbox 2301 on a Junkfax setting screen 2300 is a checkbox for setting whether a printout ofreceived fax data the fax number of the source of transmission of whichis anonymous is produced. In the state where the checkbox 2301 ischecked, the printout of the received fax data the fax number of whichis anonymous is not produced. The other display boxes 1302 and 1303 andthe buttons 1304 to 1308 are the same as those on the Junk fax settingscreen 1300 shown in FIG. 13, and therefore, explanation thereof isomitted. In the case of the present modification example, by checkingthe checkbox 2301, the printout of the received fax data from ananonymous fax number is not produced, and further, the printout of thereceived fax data from the fax number registered in theprinting-unnecessary number list is also not produced.

Subsequently, the “transfer/printing setting” according to the presentmodification example is explained. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing anexample of the contents that are set as the “transfer/printing setting”in the present modification example. The contents on the lines 1601 to1607 are the same as those of the “transfer/printing setting” shown inFIG. 16, and therefore, explanation thereof is omitted. On a line 2401,whether or not the checkbox 2301 on the Junk fax setting screen 2300 ischecked, i.e., a setting of whether or not a printout of received faxdata the fax number of the source of transmission of which is anonymousis produced is described. In the example in FIG. 24, anAnonymousnumberPrint setting is “ON”, i.e., the setting is that areceived fax from an anonymous fax number is not output on paper(checkbox is checked). In the case of the setting that a received faxfrom an anonymous fax number is output on paper, theAnonymousnumberPrint setting is “OFF”.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of printing control processing inthe second transfer unit according to the present modification example.

At step 2501, the above-described printing-unnecessary number list issearched with the fax number of the received fax data.

At step 2502, based on the results of the above-described search,whether or not the fax number of the received fax data exists in theprinting-unnecessary number list is determined. In the case where thefax number exists, the present processing is terminated withoutperforming printing for the fax data (the processing proceeds to step1808). In the case where the fax number does not exist, the processingproceeds to step 2503.

At step 2503, the information on the “transfer/printing setting” isacquired. As described above, in the “transfer/printing setting” of thepresent modification example, the “AnonymousnumberPrint setting” isincluded and the information on whether or not a received fax from ananonymous fax number needs to be output on paper (ON: printing is notperformed, OFF: printing is performed) is included.

At step 2504, whether the contents of the AnonymousnumberPrint settingin the acquired “transfer/printing setting” are ON or OFF (whether thesetting is that a printout of a fax from an anonymous fax number is notproduced) is determined. In the case where the AnonymousnumberPrintsetting is ON (the checkbox 2301 on the Junk fax setting screen 2300 ischecked), the processing proceeds to step 2505. In the case where theAnonymousnumberPrint setting is OFF (the checkbox 2301 on the Junk faxsetting screen 2300 is not checked), the processing proceeds to step2506.

At step 2505, whether the fax number of the received fax data isanonymous is determined. In the case where the fax number of thereceived fax data is anonymous, the present processing is terminatedwithout performing printing for the fax data. In the case where the faxnumber of the received fax data is known, the processing proceeds tostep 2506.

At step 2506, the printing unit 413 is given instructions to print thereceived fax data. Upon receipt of the instructions, the printing unit413 performs printing of the received fax data. The above is thecontents of the printing control processing by the second transfer unit421 according to the present modification example.

As explained above, according to the present modification example, it ispossible to collectively perform the setting so that printing is notperformed for a received fax from an anonymous fax number. Further, byindividually registering the fax number of the received fax for whichprinting is not necessary in the printing-unnecessary number list, it ispossible to perform control so that received fax data the source oftransmission of which is a specific fax number is not printed. It mayalso be possible to combine the contents of the present modificationexample with the checkbox for collectively performing the setting sothat a received fax from a fax number not registered in theabove-described address book data is not printed.

Further, in the present embodiment, explanation is given on theassumption that various setting operations are performed in theoperation unit 220 on the MFP 101, but a configuration may be acceptedin which the various setting operations are performed in an applicationthat runs on a PC, not shown.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, it is possibleto easily perform the setting of printing control based on the faxnumber of the source of transmission for the receive fax for which theprintout is not necessary.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily performthe setting of printing control based on the fax number of the source oftransmission for the receive fax for which the printout is notnecessary.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2015-87610, filed Apr. 22, 2015 which is hereby incorporated byreference wherein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus equipped with a fax function, theapparatus comprising: a user interface that performs first and secondsettings, wherein the first setting sets one or more specific faxnumbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the set oneor more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the secondsetting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate toa fax number that does not exist in an address book, not to be produced;and at least one processor that controls production of a printout ofreceived fax data in accordance with the first and second settings,wherein the at least one processor: performs control so that, in a casewhere the second setting is set, a printout of the received fax data isnot produced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data corresponds to at least one of afax number that does not exist in the address book and the one or morespecific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; and performscontrol so that, in a case where the second setting is set, a printoutof the received fax data is produced on a condition that the fax numberof the source of transmission of the received fax data corresponds toneither the fax number that does not exist in the address book nor theone or more specific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; andperforms control so that, in a case where the second setting is not set,a printout of the received fax data is not produced on a condition thatthe fax number of the source of transmission of the received fax datacorresponds to the one or more specific fax numbers that are set by thefirst setting; and performs control so that, in a case where the secondsetting is not set, a printout of the received fax data is produced on acondition that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data does not correspond to the one or more specific faxnumbers that is set by the first setting.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the user interface is a user interface with which it ispossible to perform the first setting and the second setting on a sameoperation screen.
 3. An apparatus equipped with a fax function, theapparatus comprising: a user interface that performs first and secondsettings, wherein the first setting sets one or more specific faxnumbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the set oneor more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the secondsetting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate toa fax number of a source of transmission of which cannot be acquired,not to be produced; and at least one processor that controls productionof a printout of received fax data in accordance with the first andsecond settings, wherein the at least one processor: performs control sothat, in a case where the second setting is set, a printout of thereceived fax data is not produced on a condition that at least one oftwo facts is true that the fax number of the source of transmission ofthe received fax data cannot be acquired and that the fax number of thesource of transmission of the received fax data corresponds to the oneor more specific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; andperforms control so that, in a case where the second setting is set, aprintout of the received fax data is produced on a condition thatneither of the two facts is true; and performs control so that, in acase where the second setting is not set, a printout of the received faxdata is not produced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data corresponds to the one or morespecific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; and performscontrol so that, in a case where the second setting is not set, aprintout of the received fax data is produced on a condition that thefax number of the source of transmission of the received fax data doesnot correspond to the one or more specific fax numbers that are set bythe first setting.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theuser interface is a user interface with which it is possible to performthe first setting and the second setting on a same operation screen. 5.A control method performed by an apparatus equipped with a fax function,the control method comprising steps of: performing first and secondsettings on a user interface, wherein the first setting sets one or morespecific fax numbers so that a printout of received fax data relating tothe set one or more specific fax numbers is not produced, and whereinthe second setting is a setting for a printout of received fax data,that relate to a fax number that does not exist in an address book, notto be is not produced; performing control so that, in a case where thesecond setting is set, a printout of the received fax data is notproduced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data corresponds to at least one of afax number that does not exist in the address book and the one or morespecific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; performingcontrol so that, in a case where the second setting is set, a printoutof the received fax data is produced on a condition that the fax numberof the source of transmission of the received fax data correspondsneither the fax number that does not exist in the address book nor theone or more specific fax numbers that are set by the first setting;performing control so that, in a case where the second setting is notset, a printout of the received fax data is not produced on a conditionthat the fax number of the source of transmission of the received faxdata corresponds to the one or more specific fax numbers that are set bythe first setting; and performing control so that, in a case where thesecond setting is not set, a printout of the received fax data isproduced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data does not correspond to the one ormore specific fax numbers that is set by the first setting.
 6. A controlmethod performed by an apparatus equipped with a fax function, thecontrol method comprising steps of: performing first and second settingson a user interface wherein the first setting sets one or more specificfax numbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the setone or more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the secondsetting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate toa fax number of a source of transmission of which cannot be acquired,not to be produced; performing control so that, in a case where thesecond setting is set, a printout of the received fax data is notproduced on a condition that at least one of two facts is true that thefax number of the source of transmission of the received fax data cannotbe acquired and that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data corresponds to the one or more specific fax numbersthat are set by the first setting; performing control so that, in a casewhere the second setting is set, a printout of the received fax data isproduced on a condition that neither of the two facts is true;performing control so that, in a case where the second setting is notset, a printout of the received fax data is not produced on a conditionthat the fax number of the source of transmission of the received faxdata corresponds to the one or more specific fax numbers that are set bythe first setting; and performing control so that, in a case where thesecond setting is not set, a printout of the received fax data isproduced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data does not correspond to the one ormore specific fax numbers that are set by the first setting.
 7. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program forcausing a computer to perform a control method, the control methodcomprising steps of: performing first and second settings on a userinterface, wherein the first setting sets one or more specific faxnumbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the set oneor more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the secondsetting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate toa fax number that does not exist in an address book, not to be produced;performing control so that, in a case where the second setting is set, aprintout of the received fax data is not produced on a condition thatthe fax number of the source of transmission of the received fax datacorresponds to at least one of a fax number that does not exist in theaddress book and the one or more specific fax numbers that are set bythe first setting; performing control so that, in a case where thesecond setting is set, a printout of the received fax data is producedon a condition that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data corresponds neither the fax number that does not existin the address book nor the one or more specific fax numbers that areset by the first setting; performing control so that, in a case wherethe second setting is not set, a printout of the received fax data isnot produced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data corresponds to the one or morespecific fax numbers that are set by the first setting; and performingcontrol so that, in a case where the second setting is not set, aprintout of the received fax data is produced on a condition that thefax number of the source of transmission of the received fax data doesnot correspond to the one or more specific fax numbers that is set bythe first setting.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumstoring a program for causing a computer to perform a control method,the control method comprising steps of: performing first and secondsettings on a user interface, wherein the first setting sets one or morespecific fax numbers so that a printout of received fax data relating tothe set one or more specific fax numbers is not produced, and whereinthe second setting is a setting for a printout of received fax data,that relate to a fax number of a source of transmission of which cannotbe acquired, not to be produced; performing control so that, in a casewhere the second setting is set, a printout of the received fax data isnot produced on a condition that at least one of two facts is true thatthe fax number of the source of transmission of the received fax datacannot be acquired and that the fax number of the source of transmissionof the received fax data corresponds to the one or more specific faxnumbers that are set by the first setting; performing control so that,in a case where the second setting is set, a printout of the receivedfax data is produced on a condition that neither of the two facts istrue; performing control so that, in a case where the second setting isnot set, a printout of the received fax data is not produced on acondition that the fax number of the source of transmission of thereceived fax data corresponds to the one or more specific fax numbersthat are set by the first setting; and performing control so that, in acase where the second setting is not set, a printout of the received faxdata is produced on a condition that the fax number of the source oftransmission of the received fax data does not correspond to the one ormore specific fax numbers that are set by the first setting.